Few things are more powerful than the voice of a passionate community member.
Growing up in Spokane, it was the voices of my parents, teachers and community members that taught me the importance of standing up for what’s right and fighting for those who have had the power of their voice taken from them. I have been shown over and over again that the pen is mightier than the sword, and our community has never stopped proving that.
My name is Kenji Linane-Booey and I now have the privilege of working for the League of Education Voters (LEV Foundation). A nonprofit that works to create learning environments from early learning to K-12 to postsecondary where every Washington student feels safe, supported and a positive sense of belonging, so that they can achieve academically and access the life they choose.
Through this work, I get to work alongside everyday people who believe being a neighbor and community member means standing up for those furthest from resources and justice. People who believe that it takes a village to not only raise a child but to raise passionate, empathetic, engaged community members.
Through this article I hope to highlight the issues facing public education and our students and what our community is doing to make sure all of our students can access the life they choose.
Each month I will share stories of community members who are putting others first and taking time out of their life to make a positive change.
Stories like that of the parents who came together after years of abuse, who said enough is enough and used their voices to stop the use of “isolation rooms” and forced restraint in Spokane Public Schools. Stories like those who took the time to explain how commissioned police officers as school security were harming students’ mental health and making campuses feel less safe for our students from communities of color, low-income, English language learners, and students within special education and then took the time to work with the school district to find a solution. And stories of students who are using the power of their voice to get into some good trouble.
In my work, students and student experience are always at the core of how and why I engage in different issues. I encourage you to reach out to let me know of issues facing you and your classmates or your students as well as share stories of individuals and groups that deserve to be highlighted for the work they are doing.
Kenji M. Linane-Booey was born and raised in Spokane, Washington and has always been passionate about making education an inclusive and diverse experience for students and educators. He has been working for the LEV Foundation since January 2021 and in his free time loves spending time cooking for his family and spending time with his wife, young son, and their two dogs.